ANN ARBOR, Mich. -
Third-year outside hitter Sarah Kirkwood (Tampa, Fla.) slammed a season-high 26 kills while hitting .451, and added 20 digs to lead the Virginia volleyball team to a 3-1 (30-26, 24-30, 30-27, 30-27) victory over Pacific Friday afternoon (Sept. 8) in the Michigan/Pepsi Challenge at Cliff Keen Arena. The win is also the 200th career coaching victory for UVa head coach Melissa Aldrich Shelton. With the victory, the Cavaliers improve to 6-1 on the season and continue play in the Michigan/Pepsi Challenge Friday evening at 7:30 p.m. against host Michigan.

Sarah Kirkwood led all players with her 26 kills and .451 hitting percentage. She also registered a season-high 20 digs for her fifth double-double of the season (and third consecutive). Third-year middle Katie Oakes (Lorton, Va.) was the only other Virginia player in double digits in kills as she tallied 12 to go along with a match-high six blocks. It marked the seventh consecutive match Oakes has reached double digits in kills.

The Cavaliers hit .179 in the match with 55 kills, while Pacific hit .174 with 63 kills, but had 29 errors compared to UVa's 22. Virginia led 12-9 in team blocks and 6-5 in service aces. Pacific held a 94-92 edge in digs.

UVa won the first game 30-26 with Sarah Kirkwood tallying seven of the team's 14 kills. The Tigers bounced by hitting .327 and posted a 30-24 win in game two. Kirkwood slammed eight kills on 13 attempts (.615 hitting percentage) to lead the Cavaliers to a 30-27 victory in the third game. In game four, Kirkwood and Oakes combined for 11 kills as Virginia clinched the victory with a 30-27 win. Oakes registered UVa's final two kills in the match.